“We’re proud of Brown-Forman’s rich heritage at the Woodford Reserve Distillery, which is an integral part of Kentucky’s world famous bourbon industry,” said Gov. Beshear. “This expansion, including 15 new jobs and more than $35 million in investment, will help grow sales and exports for a Kentucky product that is increasingly in demand across the globe.”

Kentucky produces 95 percent of the world’s bourbon, and the 4.9 million barrels of aging bourbon here outnumber the state’s population of 4.3 million. More than 8,600 jobs in Kentucky are connected to distillery-related enterprise, generating approximately $413 million in payroll.

The Woodford Reserve Distillery, located off McCracken Pike in Versailles, currently has 30 full-time employees. The expansion will include the addition of new bourbon maturation warehouses, new stills, improvements to the bottling line, and other upgrades designed to increase capacity, efficiency, and productivity at the facility.

“As a 142-year-old Kentucky company, Brown-Forman is proud to expand the Woodford Reserve Distillery, allowing us to meet the growing global demand for Woodford Reserve and continue to invest in our community,” said Chris Morris, master distiller at Woodford Reserve.

In addition to Woodford Reserve, Brown-Forman Corporation produces numerous quality brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Herradura, Early Times, and Old Forester. The company was founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown in Louisville, Kentucky. Today, the company is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and employs nearly 4,000 people worldwide.

To encourage the investment and job growth in Versailles, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2.5 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

KEDFA also approved Brown-Forman for tax benefits up to $500,000 through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act, which allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing equipment.

“Woodford Reserve’s expansion in Versailles, adding 15 additional jobs, is great news,” said Sen. Julian M. Carroll, of Frankfort. “The company’s more than $35 million investment will allow Versailles and Woodford County to keep reaping the rewards of good jobs, as well as to continue to stimulate the economic growth and development of our area. I am proud to have Woodford Reserve in Versailles and in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and am pleased with the company’s continued success. I applaud Gov. Beshear for taking the lead in supporting the expansion of our good corporate friend.”

“We are very excited Brown-Forman decided to expand its Woodford Reserve operations in our community,” said Versailles Mayor Fred Siegelman. “The beauty of this distillery, along with its rich history, continues to attract many tourists to Kentucky and Versailles. We are grateful for the assistance provided by Gov. Beshear, the team at the Cabinet for Economic Development and the Woodford Economic Development Authority. Thank you Brown-Forman.”

“We want to congratulate Brown-Forman and Woodford Reserve for their continued commitment and contributions to Woodford County,” said Woodford County Judge-Executive John Coyle. “This expansion not only brings new jobs to our community, but also increases the tax base, which allows us to better serve our citizens. Thank you to Gov. Beshear, the Cabinet for Economic Development, and the Woodford Economic Development Authority, who guided this project through completion.”

Woodford County has also been certified by the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board as a Work Ready Certified Community. The certification is an assurance to business and industry that the community is committed to providing the highly skilled workforce required in today’s competitive global economy.

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook or follow on Twitter. Watch the Cabinet’s “This is My Kentucky” video on YouTube.

A detailed community profile for Versailles (Woodford County) can be viewed at

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Named a top hidden travel destination by BBC News, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is a landmark destination that shares 3,000 acres of discovery in the spirit of the Kentucky Shakers. Located within an hour’s drive of 11 distilleries, Shaker Village is set in the heart of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Partnering with Central Kentucky Tours, Shaker Village offers guests guided tasting tours to legendary distilleries and popular craft distilleries. After a day of touring, conduct your own tasting of Kentucky’s native spirit while enjoying dinner at The Trustees’ Table, then unwind in one of The Inn’s 72 overnight guest rooms, private cottages or suites.

With 34 original Shaker structures, Shaker Village is home to the country’s largest private collection of original 19th century buildings and is the largest National Historic Landmark in Kentucky. Onsite services at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill include overnight accommodations, dining, beverage and catering services, three craft shops, exhibitions in historic buildings, a farm and garden area, the Dixie Belle riverboat and 1,200 acres of restored native prairie.

Louisville’s rich Bourbon culture is pervasive not only in its deep Bourbon history and recent influx of downtown distilleries, but also in its restaurants, bars, attraction, and even its music. Louisville is the perfect place to start or end your Kentucky Bourbon Trail adventure, making it an Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Check out their website for more info – gotolouisville.com – 301 South Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40202, 1-888-LOUISVILLE (568-4784)

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Want to leave the driving, planning, scheduling with confirmed reservations, safe transportation and worrying about directions to someone else? Contact Mint Julep Tours–they plan the entire adventure, start to finish, so you can relax and leave the trip to them. Be sure to check out some of their specialty tours like their Heaven & Evan tour or their Maker’s Mark After Dark Experience. For more details visit the MJT website or call 502.583.1433

Located in the geographical heart of Kentucky and now an Official Trailhead of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™, Lebanon is in the Heart of the Bourbon Belt. With Maker’s Mark & Limestone Branch distilleries located here, as well as the Kentucky Cooperage, we’re as close to Bourbon as it gets. Encounter a rich Bourbon experience, deep spiritual legacies, and a community that thrives on its unique history and heritage. Lebanon Visitor Center, 239 N Spalding Ave., Suite 200, Lebanon, KY 40033, 270-692-0021

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The Woodford Inn is a historic Kentucky bed & breakfast nestled among the beautiful horse farms of central Kentucky. We’re located just outside of Lexington, KY in the heart of historic Versailles. The Woodford Inn is just a short drive to several famous area attractions including the Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland Race Course, and several of the bourbon distilleries near the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour. Be sure to stop into Addie’s, our restaurant that features a full Bourbon bar and fantastic food.

R & R Limousine is an Official Sponsor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour. Providing service to the extreme, they have ten packages to choose from, so you’re sure to be able to visit the distillery of your favorite Bourbon, or let them design a custom package tailored just for you based on the time you wish to spend. Check their website for details or call 800‐582‐5576.(more…)

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